Greasing Universal joints

Dave3066

Dave3066

Well-Known Member
Anyone got any top tips for getting grease into all 4 end caps of a universal joint?

Despite greasing them before I fitted them a few months ago, one of them seems to have dried out. I can only get grease to come out of one end cap seal when I grease it :evil:

I've read that heating the end caps helps, but I wondered if anyone had any top tips before I resort to removing them to grease them again :roll:

Thanks

Dave
 
The grease will always take the path of least resistance, so the only way to get it to come out of the other cups is to increase the resistance in the one that's working. I'm not quite sure about how to go about that other than moving the joint through its full range of movement as you pump the grease through it....
 
I would question that one bearing is dry just because grease doesn't come out of that cap. It still could have ample lubrication even though the excess exits elsewhere.
 
OrganDoctor said:
I would question that one bearing is dry just because grease doesn't come out of that cap. It still could have ample lubrication even though the excess exits elsewhere.
Click to expand...

Fair point, and as they all wear a bit each one will get its share. That's the reason for regular greasing. And don't forget that you can't grease sealed-for-life joints anyway, so you'll always be in front as far as that goes.
 
harveyp6 said:
The grease will always take the path of least resistance, so the only way to get it to come out of the other cups is to increase the resistance in the one that's working. I'm not quite sure about how to go about that other than moving the joint through its full range of movement as you pump the grease through it....
Click to expand...

Yes I'd read that somewhere too. Not the easiest thing to do on your own so I'll see if I can get an assistant to pump grease while I move the joint :wink:

OrganDoctor said:
I would question that one bearing is dry just because grease doesn't come out of that cap. It still could have ample lubrication even though the excess exits elsewhere.
Click to expand...

It could also be bone dry. I guess it's difficult to say with any degree of certainty without removing the joint for a closer look and I may just do that anyway. I've only got symptoms to go on but I'm getting that tell-tale residue around the joint that in my limited experience indicates a dry bearing slowly destroying itself. If I ease the seal up it looks pretty dry under there too. When I grease the inboard UJ on that same drive shaft I get grease out of every cap seal.

I really hate having to do a job twice. (no comments about doing it right first time :wink: )

Dave
 
Hi Dave,

You mentioned that you greased them before fitting them just a few months ago. Have you covered many miles since then? To me, it does seem a very short space of time for one of the cups to dry out. How often have you been greasing them? What type of grease are you using?

Ron.
 
In the old days.......(50's) it was common to assemble the joints with vaseline, and lube them with 90 weight oil when assembled. It was stated then that grease was insufficient lubrication for needle bearings.
 
SydneyRoverP6B said:
Hi Dave,

You mentioned that you greased them before fitting them just a few months ago. Have you covered many miles since then? To me, it does seem a very short space of time for one of the cups to dry out. How often have you been greasing them? What type of grease are you using?

Ron.
Click to expand...

Ron, I have that information, but not to hand so I'll get back to you.

OrganDoctor said:
In the old days.......(50's) it was common to assemble the joints with vaseline, and lube them with 90 weight oil when assembled. It was stated then that grease was insufficient lubrication for needle bearings.
Click to expand...

They do come with a vaseline like substance packed in the bearings.

Dave
 
Ron

This is the grease I used

CIMG6095_zpsdf958486.jpg


Says this on the back

CIMG6096_zpsa9dde847.jpg


Done about 4k miles since fitting. I'd normally grease these once a year or every 10k miles.

Dave
 
The Moly Grease is great for CV Joints because they are Large Balls and exposed often to water, dirt etc.. The needle bearings in the universals, however,do better with a less thick grease that can flow into all areas.
My preference is a lighter grease or, as mentioned, 90 weight gear oil.
 
Hi Dave,

Thanks for your grease info. :) Ideally, you should grease them at least every 6000 Miles, which is also the maximum grease interval for the tailshaft sliding joint. Greasing them more frequently, like every 2 or 3000 Miles is no problem at all as universal joints can never be greased too frequently.

Ron.
 
Pardon my ignorance, but how actually do you grease the universals? My driveshaft is out at the moment so it's a good opportunity to perform this task, but I can't see how it is done.
 
WarrenL said:
Pardon my ignorance, but how actually do you grease the universals? My driveshaft is out at the moment so it's a good opportunity to perform this task, but I can't see how it is done.
Click to expand...


Unless your UJ's have grease nipples fitted then you won't be able to.
 
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